Top Public Universities in Canada; Location, Fees and More
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A new era of Canadian education is here! Scroll through and discover the top-ranked public universities, updated tuition fees, and strategic insights into the 2026 study permit caps.
Limited-time offer : Access a free 10-Day IELTS study plan curated for you
Table of Contents
- Benefits of Studying in Canada
- 1. University of Toronto
- 2. McGill University
- 3. University of British Columbia
- 4. University of Alberta
- 5. University of Waterloo
- 6. Western University
- 7. University of Montreal
- 8. University of Calgary
- 9. McMaster University
- 10. University of Ottawa
- Ready to Study in Canada? Secure Your Spot With the Help of ÿմ Experts.
Canada is known as the land of opportunity and has plenty of reasons to be your favourite, such as free public healthcare and one of the world's most robust education systems. As of 2026, the journey for international students has changed. The new study permit cap is now in effect. Moving abroad for studies can be a little tough on your pocket, but we've got it covered.
We've figured out the best public universities in Canada that offer a diverse range of courses at affordable costs. Read more to find out.
Benefits of Studying in Canada
Canada has ample reasons to be named asone of the best countries in the world. The question of why Canada is the best country for studying abroad is answered by us below.
- World-class education and modern research equipment with the best technology for a higher scope in the career make Canada stand out from the rest.
- Free facilities such as healthcare, travel and education attract millions of students.
- Canada has been recorded with the lowest crime rates, which makes living in the country more desirable and contributes to a better quality of life.
- The country inculcates Mosaic culture, which represents harmony and respect for every culture.
- Canada has more than 100 immigration programs to offer and welcomes a huge number of applicants under all the programs in Express Entry.
Top 10 Public Universities in Canada by QS Ranking 2026
From the huge number of universities present in Canada, we have curated a list of the best public universities in Canada with their rankings and fees. These universities offer undergraduate as well as postgraduate courses at an affordable cost.
|
S.No. |
Institution |
QS Ranking 2026 |
Annual Fees (CAD) |
|
1 |
University of Toronto |
29 |
30,000 - 72,000 |
|
2 |
McGill University |
27 |
31,000 - 68,000 |
|
3 |
University of British Columbia |
40 |
20,000 - 62,000 |
|
4 |
University of Alberta |
94 |
10,500 - 55,000 |
|
5 |
University of Waterloo |
119 |
45,000 - 78,000 |
|
6 |
Western University |
151 |
42,000 - 72,000 |
|
7 |
University of Montreal |
168 |
21,000 - 65,000 |
|
8 |
University of Calgary |
211 |
28,000 - 65,000 |
|
9 |
McMaster University |
173 |
20,000 - 58,000 |
|
10 |
University of Ottawa |
219 |
22,000 - 68,000 |
Also Read:Top Universities in Canada for Masters for International Students
1. University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is one of the top universities in the world for research opportunities driven to create and innovate. The academically challenging curriculum prepares the students for high-end employment facilities.
The diverse range of courses offered, as well as the minimal acceptance rate, attracts numerous students, who are:
- Acceptance Rate:43% (remains highly competitive for international applicants).
- Top Courses Offered:Artificial Intelligence & Computer Science, Data Science, Medical Sciences, and Law.
- International Students:29,500+
2. McGill University
McGill University is known as Canada’s premier medical institute.The university claims to have 400+ programs through its 50 research centers and institutes.
It has been offered the largest research grant of $165 million for a world-leading inclusive genomics and RNA research program.
The acceptance rate and numerous courses that you can opt from are,
- Acceptance Rate:39%
- Top Courses Offered:Medical Sciences, MBA & Finance, Engineering, and Law.
- International Students:12,000
3. University of British Columbia
Established in 1908, it is the oldest university in British Columbia and has the strongest alumni network.
With an annual research budget of $759 million, UBC funds over 8,000 projects a year.
It offers more than 200 academic programs through two schools and 12 faculties, be it undergraduate, postgraduate or diploma programmes.
- Acceptance Rate:52% (Overall
- Top Courses Offered:Mineral & Mining Engineering, Data Science, Applied Science (Engineering), and Ecology/Environmental Sciences.
- International Students:20,000+
4. University of Alberta
Located in Edmonton, it was founded in 1908 and is one of top 5 universities in Canada.
It offers more than 200 undergraduate programs and more than 500 graduate programs to 40,000 students from 156 countries around the world.
Its faculty includes numerous award-winning researchers, including 7 Nobel laureates, 69 Rhodes scholars, and 63 members of the Royal Society of Canada.
The acceptance rate and the courses offered are as follows,
- Acceptance Rate:58%
- Top Courses Offered:Artificial Intelligence, Petroleum Engineering, Nursing, and Business Administration.
- International Students:10,000+
5. University of Waterloo
University of Waterloo is known for its large student body and a huge number of programs, internships, and organizations on campus and off campus.
The employment opportunities as well as the exceptional research facilities attract a huge number of students from abroad, which makes it culturally diverse.
The acceptance rates are high and top courses offered by the university are wide ranged with quality education provided.
- Acceptance Rate:53%
- Top Courses offered:Economics, Taxation, Management Science
- International Students:50,000+
6. Western University
Looking for an affordable university with the best research facilities? Western University is the place for you. The modern research equipment available with the best extracurricular programmes is the highlight of here.
This public university is a valuable investment in your future, and can provide you with the skills, and experiences you need to succeed in your career.
The rates and courses are as follows,
- Acceptance Rate:58%
- Top Courses Offered:Business Administration (Ivey MBA), Computer Science, Data Analytics, and Engineering (Civil/Mechanical).
- International Students:6,500+
7. University of Montreal
The University of Montreal is a French-language public research university in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
It offers more than 600 programs to choose from for your majors and the worldwide recognition of the institute helps in further studies as well.
The nature and the environment makes the living experience more wholesome and perfect for the students who aim at spending less on their cost of living as well as gaining the best education from Canada.
The acceptance rate and the top courses offered are,
- Acceptance Rate:45%
- Top Courses offered:Information Technology, Data Analytics, Law
- International Students:44,000+
8. University of Calgary
The University of Calgary was established in 1966 and offers 250 programs in post-secondary education awarding bachelors, masters, and doctorate (PhD) degrees.
The university due to its high quality education is ranked 7th in Canada consistently.
For students who aim to publish their journals and researches, note that this university's research performance has been noted in several bibliometric university rankings, which uses citation analysis to evaluate the impact a university has on academic publications.
- Acceptance Rate:~10%–20% (Selectivity has tightened significantly in 2026 for international applicants, particularly in STEM and Business).
- Top Courses Offered:Data Science & Analytics, Petroleum Engineering, Biomedical Sciences, and Kinesiology (ranked among the best in North America).
- International Students:9,500+
9. McMaster University
McMaster University has over 27,000 undergraduate and over 4,000 postgraduate students shining in their respective fields with high employment rates.
This university is located in the town of Ontario, which has a beautiful and peaceful surrounding with a serene environment.
The students with a close knit cultural community are there for making your college experience 10 times better.
The diverse range of courses offered attracts numerous students which are:
- Acceptance Rate:59% (Overall). While the general acceptance rate is moderately selective, flagship programs like Health Sciences (3.6%) and Engineering (12–20%) remain incredibly competitive.
- Top Courses Offered:Health Sciences, Nuclear Engineering, Business Administration (MBA), and Computer Science.
- International Students:6,500+
10. University of Ottawa
The University of Ottawa is another top public university in Canada, ranked among the top 50 universities in the world by QS.
The university offers more than 980 undergraduate and graduate programs with the best extracurricular activities.
The research and practical approach followed by the University helps students to stand out in the real world, where a theoretical approach is considered traditional.
- Acceptance Rate:42%
- Top Courses Offered:Common Law & Civil Law, Nursing, Computer Science, and International Development.
- International Students:10,000+
In conclusion, Canada offers exceptional opportunities for studies in various fields, including Law, Nursing, Computer Science, Architecture, Engineering, Accounting, and more. With world-class universities, cutting-edge research, and a diverse learning environment, pursuing a degree in Canada opens doors to a bright and promising future.
Ready to Study in Canada? Secure Your Spot With the Help of ÿմ Experts.
Immigrants with the right skills and experience can find many opportunities to earn a good salary in Canada. The cost of living in different regions of Canada can also have an impact on the salary you need to earn to maintain a certain standard of living.
To ensure a smooth and successful journey, choosing an immigration consultant like ÿմ, offering study abroad services, is the best decision you can make. We provide expert guidance, simplify the application process, and offer valuable insights to help you navigate the complexities of studying abroad.
Book a Free Consultation to speak to our study-abroad experts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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